Federal Delays Put Ballard Link Plan in Limbo

Sound Transit’s 7.7-mile Ballard Link Extension faces renewed delays as the Federal Transit Administration won’t approve the Draft Environmental Impact Statement’s publication, pushing back a preferred alignment and potentially forcing a phased build. The holdup, tied to guidance on federal DEI-related orders, is driving up costs and prompting the board to consider cost-cutting moves, station consolidations, and alternative alignments while the project and its funding plan navigate a significant budget shortfall and lengthy NEPA review.